CHRIS Brunt is hoping Albion can add some more new faces to the squad to keep everyone as fresh as possible during a jam-packed Coca-Cola Championship run-in.

The midfielder was a key figure in the Baggies' last team to win promotion to the Barclays Premier League two seasons ago.

And, with Roberto Di Matteo's men lying third in the table, five points behind Nottingham Forest with a game in hand, and eight adrift of leaders Newcastle, he believes the division has got even tougher to get out of.

"The last time we were in this league it looked like we might pull away, then Stoke came into it and strung results together," said Brunt.

"There are always teams who will do that.

"Cardiff went and won 6-0 at Bristol City the other night - it's a crazy league, but you finish where you deserve to over 46 games.

"It's a tougher league than it was two years ago.

"It seems to get tougher because of the prize at stake.

"There is a big gulf developing between the Championship and League One.

"It's a battle from start to finish because of the financial rewards.

"We've shot ourselves in the foot a few times but generally we feel we've done alright."

The Northern Ireland international also insists he would welcome any new recruits in midfield, even if it means increased competition for his place in the team.

"If anybody is going to come in and help us to get back up to the Premier League it has to be a boost, especially with the amount of games we've got coming up in February and March," he added.

"It's a busy schedule. I think it's the busiest I've seen since I started playing and maybe a couple of new faces will boost a few of the lads and maybe give a few people a bit of a rest.

"Sometimes you need a rest with the amount of games we've got and with the way the Championship is so physical.

"We saw last time we got promoted when Tony Mowbray was the manager that he mixed and matched and everybody felt fresh, so maybe that will happen again.

"Especially in the midfield area when you're covering a lot of ground and doing a lot of work, maybe it's good to have some fresh faces and, if somebody is looking a bit jaded, we can freshen it up a bit."